AN: Sorry for haven't posting in the past couple of weeks. I've been very i'll and been rush in to hospital where i spent a week in battling an infection. I am home now taking antibodics to make sure the bug dosn't return.
CH 17
Over the next few days Mike and Kate spent time with the kids before Stewart took the younger ones to day care and Ryan and Duncan went to school. Mike and Kate spend the days shopping for their growing family as well doing some sightseeing together.
The day that Hammersley was leaving for it, patrol Mike and Kate walk into the ball pen and into Steve's office where they talk to steve. "Mike, enjoy your shore leave"
"Yes we did, thanks"
"Now lieutenant, I learned that you are going to be on the Hammersley"
"Yes sir, I learned about it last week. Mike knows also and reads the letter from fleet command"
"Question is how are you two going to keep things separate and the question of favoritism"
"Kate has set rules regarding everything. We both know it's going to be hard to be professional while on board. But time will tell"
"Ok, you better let the crew know Mike"
"I will"
"Now talk about your patrol area" They talk for ten minutes before Mike and Kate leave Steve's office and NAVCOM.
When they arrived in the car that was dropping them next to Hammersley. When they got out and got their bags, They walked up and onto hammersley where they bumped into a couple of crew members. Mike introduces Kate to them. Two hours later Hammersley left for its patrol.
Mike announces over the PA system that Kate is his wife and it was fleet command who posted her on Hammersley until its decommission. The crew was shocked and understood why Kate was on Hammersley.
After the death of Lisa Holmes, Mike went to see Kate who was on the front of the ship. The ones who were on the bridge and up top saw Mike walking up to Kate to talk to her for a few minutes then return back to the bridge.
Two months later Kate was starting to get to know the crew and started having drinks with them and Mike when they returned from their patrol. When they had two week shore leave Kate had to go down to Watson bay for a week doing a course.
When she returned home she looked at Mike and knew something was wrong. "Mike what's wrong"
"Let's go up to our room"
"OK" Kate followed Mike up to their bedroom where she put her bags on the chair, then walked over and sat down next to Mike. "What's wrong, are the kids ok"
"They are fine"
"Ok then what is it?"
"Maxine showed up last saturday night"
"What, Maxine white was here?" Kate said in shock.
"Yes, she was drunk, she tried to hit on me but I stopped her"
"Ok what did you do?"
"I took her to the guest bedroom where she passed out on the bed"
"Ok so what the problem"
"Stewart was at a mate buck party, he was drunk so i told him to use the guest bedroom"
"oh no he didn't"
"No, I made sure he slept in the other room"
"Ok so something happened"
"I don't know if it true or not, but in the morning Maxine was smiling at me saying that last night was great. I didn't know what she was talking about"
"she must of been dreaming"
"Could be Kate, but when I spoke to Stewart he said that he woke up when he noticed he wasn't alone in bed but he thought it was the alcohol"
"My god Mike… Maxine and Stewart" Kate said in shock
"I was thinking the same thing. Maxine thought it was me in the other bedroom not knowing it was stewart"
"After what you told me about what Maxine said. My gosh She did it again or she knew when the timing was right" Mike thought about it.
"She wants a kid"
"Yes and she wants you to be the father. Mike if she does become pregnant, then Stewart is the father"
"I guess you're right Kate. But we should keep it between us and see what Maxine might do next"
"good idea. So for now, where stewart?"
"Shopping then picking the kids up why?" Kate leaned forward and kissed him while undoing the buttons on his shirt.
"What do you think?" She kissed him once more as they lay down on the bed and Mike rolled on top of her.
Few days later Hammersley left for its patrol. During the next four months the crew deal with forin fisherman, north korea asylum seekers, death of a crewman, almost loss of two others, birth of Swain and Sally baby, dealing with the feds and Rick Gallager.
When Mike and Kate work out what was going on Ursula manages to send the CD to Mike in time for the Hammersley crew to save the group lives and realize where the toxin is. Stop Rick Gallager going over the line by blowing up his ship in which Rick was killed along with four others. The others gave up and surrendered.
On the way back to Cairns for the last time for Hammersley, the crew was happy that they stopped the toxin water from going overseas on the black market knowing that the ship and crew would be going into the history books since it was Hammersley's final act before being decommissioned.
"so X what are you going to do now since Hammersley going to be decommission?" Buffer asked.
"Shore posting because of the kids plus acting as a temporary XO for any patrol boats here in Cairns or Darwin," Kate said.
"Good for you but it's a shame you can't stay on the new Hammersley when it comes next month" Nav said.
"I know but I was only here for six months"
"You lasted longer than any of the other lieutenants, you and boss work well together as a team" Buffer said.
"Well I know what he is like and I know how to deal with him"
"That's true"
The day of the decommission of Hammersley all of the crew's family and some of the crew from other patrol boats that were in port attended the ceremony. Luckily it was a Saturday when it happened so Mike and Kate kids were there watching and listening to what was happening till it was over.
MJ, Connor and Emma run over to where Mike and Kate are with Ryan and Duncan running after them till they reach Mike and Kate. Mike was talking to the chief of the navy when they and others heard.
"mum, dad, look out" Everyone turns to the loud voice and sees kids running while smiling. Mike and Kate crouch down "woo you three, slow down" Kate said.
They ran into Mike and Kate's arms. "We saw you" MJ said grinning.
"We saw you too" Mike said as he stood up with the twins in his arms and Kate got MJ in hers.
"Who are these children, lieutenant commander, lieutenant"
"I'm MJ, Connor and Emma, my brother and sister"
"Well hello MJ, Connor, Emma, I'm pleased to meet you"
"Who are you?" MJ asked.
"I'm chief of the navy Criag Thomas"
"Hello, are you mum and dad boss" Mike and Kate grin.
"Yes I am"
"Really, cool" Mike, Kate and those close by laugh.
"Sir, this is Ryan and Duncan, our other sons" Kate said.
"Nice to meet you sir" Ryan said as they shook hands.
"you to Ryan"
"It's an honor to meet you sir, can i ask you a question"
"Of course you can Duncan"
"Are you going to split mum and dad up since mum was only here for six months"
"Duncan, i'm not leaving" Kate said.
"You're not, so you're staying on the new Hammersley"
"Worse," Mike said.
"What could be worse?" Ryan asked.
"I got shore posting here in Cairns but be temporary XO for any patrol boats here in Cairns and in Darwin"
"Mummy stay for good" MJ asked.
"Yes MJ I'm staying"
"Good" he said in a tone which made everyone laugh.
"Daddy boat," Connor said pointing to Hammersley.
"Yes it's a boat" Kate looks at Emma and connor. "Emma, Connor you want to look on the boat" Emma and Connor's eyes lit up as they smiled and nodded their heads.
"Me mummy"
"Yes MJ you too. Excuse us sir while we give the kids their first and final tour"
"Of course and if any others want to look around, they may"
"Thank you sir" Mike said. The chief of the navy and Steve watch the family walk onto Hammersley while talking to their kids.
"Lieutenant Commander Flynn sure is happy," the chief of the navy said.
"Yes sir, he has been happy since the lieutenant was posted to here, even the crew is happy and not stressed out any more"
"I can see that. Isn't lieutenant commander due for a promotion?"
"Yes sir, but knowing him he rather be out at sea but he knows that with the promotion there a shore posting and with that he can spend more time with his family"
"True, but with what happened he got an excellent chance of getting it"
"that is true sir"
Since the crew got some shore leave till the new Hammersley arrived, the senior sailors and officers went down to Watson bay to do courses because of the new ship. So they start to learn new things about the ship. they spent it with family and friends. Mike and Kate gave Stewart some time off so he could visit family whom he hasn't seen in weeks.
The day the new Hammersley arrived. Mike and Kate went to check the ship out. Two days later Hammersley left for its first patrol with Kate being on board for a couple of patrols until a new XO was found. It took four patrols till Mike and Kate learned that there is a lieutenant who will be the new XO so Kate can start her shore posting.
Few months later Mike was lucky that Hammersley was in port since it was the kids' birthday. MJ turns four and the triplets turn three. Kate was a temporary XO three times. two were on Hammersley since Mike was having problems with the new XO and one was on Bendigo.
When Mike was wounded Kate was on board when it happened. After taking care of the stowaway and returning back to Cairns. She was informed about Mike's condition and learned from Steve that he hasn't signed the promotion papers. When Hammersley left for the next patrol, Kate was on board as the XO while the temporary captain was on board till Mike returned.
After what happened to the lieutenant commander and Kate taking over. they got the boat in question and return with the two murders and the boat. Kate learns that the captain got a brain tumor and he received a medical discharge from the navy.
when Mike and Kate leave the hospital they talk about Ray Walsman and Mike's promotion. "Kate I had shore postings before, i hated them"
"Well Mike you were single at the time, now you're not"
"but I love being out at sea"
"what about our family Mike, kids growing up to fast. I've missed out on so much and so have you. Look, take the promotion and be like me being temporary captain for any patrol boats and get used to shore posting and spending more time with our family"
"Your right Kate. Family is important"
"Yes especially when they are young"
"True"
"Just think about it" Mike smiles and kisses her
"I will, let's go home" Kate smiles
"Why not"
Week later the crew are happy that Mike is back on board. Steve and Kate watch on the wharf as the crew greeted him. "Kate Mike signed the papers" Kate turned to Steve.
"Yes, I know he showed me them this morning. Who is going to be the new captain will have big boots to fill"
"that is true" Steve and Kate return back to NAVCOM and back to work.
A month later Mike was promoted to commander. since fleet command is trying to find a new captain. Mike stayed on board. By the end of the year Ray Walsman was arrested and charged. The crew was pleased with the outcome after what they all been through over the past few months.
Plus Mike got a shore posting since a new captain was found. So he and Kate are looking forward to spending more time together as well spending it with their family.
Couple of Months later Kate returned to Hammersley as the XO till a new XO could be founded. the kids understand what has been going on and would be looking forward to her return. when it was MJ's fifth and the twins' fourth birthday. Kate was back working at NAVCOM.
She and Mike put on a party for him and the twins the same day. Mike and Kate watch all the kids having fun eating their cupcake which was blue with pink in the middle. Kids love birthday cup cakes.
The next day Mike and Kate take MJ to school, he was looking ford to it. When they saw him with his friends they can tell he was happy. "I still can't believe Mike MJ is growing up fast"
"I know Kate, look at us, we have been married for almost eight years ourselves"
"True, it seems like yesterday when I first held MJ when he was just born"
"I know what you mean, come on let's go home"
"and do what?" Mike put his arm around Kate's shoulder.
"I'm sure we can think of something, how about a swim" he said grinning
"Not a bad idea," Kate said.
Two months later Hammersley left for its patrol with both Mike and Kate being back on board. The captain left the navy on medical grounds and the lieutenant got a dishonor discharge from the navy for not following protocols as a result of the captain being injured during a boarding that went wrong.